Decisive game 5 today for Orioles-Yanks and Nats-Cards
NEW YORK (AP) — New York and Washington will be the centers of the Major League Baseball world later today as the final two spots in the League Championship Series will be sorted out.
This afternoon the Yankees will host Baltimore in a decisive Game 5 of the ALDS with the winner moving on and the loser heading home. Baltimore forced the issue last night with a 2-1, 13-inning win on J.J. Hardy’s RBI double.
The pitching showdown will pit Yankees ace CC Sabathia against Jason Hammel. Sabathia has been lights out for New York in the post-season, with a 6-1 mark including an 8 2-3 innings, winning effort in Game 1. Hammel had a solid outing in that, pitching into the sixth in his first start in nearly a month.
The two teams have faced each other 22 times this season and post-season, with each winning 11.
The winner goes on to face Detroit in the ALCS starting tomorrow.
Washington will continue to revel in its first post-season baseball in 79 years when the Nationals and Cardinals meet in a winner-take-all Game 5 tonight. The Nationals forced the showdown with a dramatic 2-1 win yesterday thanks to Jason Werth’s walk-off homer to lead off the ninth.
Washington sends ace Gio Gonzalez to the mound in an effort to rebound from his Game 1 effort. The 21-game winner posted a career high seven walks, but the Nats still managed to win. St. Louis sends Adam Wainwright to the hill. He posted 14 wins during the regular season.
The winner goes on to meet San Francisco in the NLCS.
Bounty suspensions appealed.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — All four players punished in the NFL’s bounty investigation have filed appeals with the league. People familiar with the situation say the players have asked Commissioner Roger Goodell to remove himself as arbitrator because they do not believe he can be impartial.
One of the people also says New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma expects to play at Tampa Bay on Oct. 21 while his appeal is pending. The people spoke to The Associated Press Friday on condition of anonymity because the appeals were filed as private documents with the league
Vilma is suspended for the season, while Saints defensive end Will Smith is suspended four games, free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove seven games and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita one game.
Lions DE in accident
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Police in suburban Detroit are investigating after a motorist says he was sideswiped by Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh.
Dearborn police Sgt. Ed Fries tells the Detroit Free Press the Thursday morning collision was a “minor fender bender” with no injuries. A person who answered the telephone Friday at the department declined comment.
New deal for Huggins
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia is working on a new contract for men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins. Athletic director Oliver Luck says a reworked deal should be completed in the next few months.
In 2008, Huggins signed a contract that pays him at least $20 million in guaranteed income through 2019.
The Mountaineers have gone to the NCAA tournament in each of Huggins’ five seasons at his alma mater. He has a 120-56 record there. West Virginia went 19-14 last season and lost to Gonzaga in the second round of the tournament.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Baltimore at N-Y Yankees 4:07 p.m.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis at Washington 7:37 p.m.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON
Detroit at Toronto 6:00 p.m.
Minnesota at Indiana 6:00 p.m.
Cleveland at Chicago 7:00 p.m.
New Orleans at Houston 7:00 p.m.
Denver at San Antonio 7:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Utah 8:00 p.m.
Portland at Phoenix 9:00 p.m.